Metro Boston: Good ride today?
#8476
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
#8478
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The banks of the River Charles
Posts: 2,029
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease, 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX, 2017 Trek Boon 7, 2014 Trek 520
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 696 Post(s)
Liked 910 Times
in
487 Posts
Just took delivery of my new rain/winter bike. I’ll keep the studded tire on the cross bike for those days.
#8479
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4,530
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2112 Post(s)
Liked 663 Times
in
443 Posts
(Though my spouse will remind me that I bought three bikes and ended up with one. N-2?)
Anyhow, good to get out in the cold today.
Zero wind, great Sun, and even though the air
was cold the day was not.
-mr. bill
#8480
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The banks of the River Charles
Posts: 2,029
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease, 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX, 2017 Trek Boon 7, 2014 Trek 520
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 696 Post(s)
Liked 910 Times
in
487 Posts
After the dust settled from a whirlwind of driving around as Dads free ride share service to and from birthday parties and dance classes I got out on the new bike early afternoon for 35 miles.. It was delightfully cold and an omnipresent headwind added to the experience every direction I faced. The bike rode like a silky dream. Shimano has closed the gap between Ultegra and Dura Ace with the newest itirations that the user experience was indistinguishable to me. The 33mm tires coasted over the ruts and roadside bumps while the perfectly fitting frame soaked up the harshness. I just mounted my 1500 Lumen headlight and my Bar Mitts for tomorrow mornings early AM ride.
Last edited by Ghazmh; 11-09-19 at 06:35 PM.
#8481
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The banks of the River Charles
Posts: 2,029
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease, 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX, 2017 Trek Boon 7, 2014 Trek 520
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 696 Post(s)
Liked 910 Times
in
487 Posts
I got out just before 6:00 AM for 31 miles with my new bike. It rides like a dream.
Likes For Ghazmh:
#8482
Full Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Arlington, MA
Posts: 290
Bikes: 2022 Trek Checkpoint ALR5, 2014 Cannondale Trail SL1, 1983 Fuji Royale II
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 144 Post(s)
Liked 585 Times
in
240 Posts
Rode out to Concord today on the Minuteman and Reformatory trails. It was one of those days where the wind was gusty and changing direction a lot, but it was still a great ride. Overall, it was quiet. A far cry from those crazy busy weekends in the summer. The Reformatory trail definitely has that late fall, nature-going-to-sleep look. Very pretty:
To follow up on Ghazmh's report about the water fountain in Concord Center being turned off: the fountains at the Bedford and Lexington Depots are also turned off. The Bedford Depot shop was open, but I had the circle of benches all to myself when I was there. My lower limit for riding temperature is about 40 degrees, so I am savoring what is left of the season. I hope that will be until mid-December.
To follow up on Ghazmh's report about the water fountain in Concord Center being turned off: the fountains at the Bedford and Lexington Depots are also turned off. The Bedford Depot shop was open, but I had the circle of benches all to myself when I was there. My lower limit for riding temperature is about 40 degrees, so I am savoring what is left of the season. I hope that will be until mid-December.
Likes For bike_tom:
#8483
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4,530
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2112 Post(s)
Liked 663 Times
in
443 Posts
Originally Posted by “New York Times”
“The infrastructure is there and it’s safe,” said Mr. Rasmussen, as he prepared a comforting dinner of squash soup and home-baked sourdough bread. “Why wouldn’t you bike? It’s stupid not to bike.”
After I came back this afternoon from Dave’s Fresh Pasta in Davis Square with a pound of fresh spinach ravioli and San Marzano tomatoes, pretty much yeah.
If I had to drive, nope nope nope. But it was a quick easy (and delightful) ride.
When the hardest thing is locking up your bike (twice)....
-mr. bill
Last edited by mr_bill; 11-15-19 at 07:34 PM.
#8484
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,434
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
I managed to get out yesterday (Sunday) on the Masi. 45.66 miles. Not many cyclists out. Maybe the temperature had something to do with it. About 28deg when I started, pushing 40deg when I got back home.
The usual haunts were deserted.
The usual haunts were deserted.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Likes For jimmuller:
#8485
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,434
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
I rode my commute today, and a small part of it yesterday.
Yesterday I started out, felt the bike slip a bit after a few blocks, saw one person knocking ice off his car windows, saw more suspicious road surface, turned around after maybe 3/4 mile. Walked in the door and heard my sweetie say she was glad I came back then. So I grabbed some car keys (the Porsche, can you blame me?) and drove in, heard lots of black ice reports on the radio (which is what had prompted my sweetie to start worrying).
Today's commute was on wet roads but no direct rain this morning, so the bike got filthy but I didn't get wet. The weather was supposed to clear for the afternoon, but it turned out to be raining until I got halfway home. So I got wet and the bike got filthy again. Great fun!
I did see a nice sunset.
Yesterday I started out, felt the bike slip a bit after a few blocks, saw one person knocking ice off his car windows, saw more suspicious road surface, turned around after maybe 3/4 mile. Walked in the door and heard my sweetie say she was glad I came back then. So I grabbed some car keys (the Porsche, can you blame me?) and drove in, heard lots of black ice reports on the radio (which is what had prompted my sweetie to start worrying).
Today's commute was on wet roads but no direct rain this morning, so the bike got filthy but I didn't get wet. The weather was supposed to clear for the afternoon, but it turned out to be raining until I got halfway home. So I got wet and the bike got filthy again. Great fun!
I did see a nice sunset.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
#8486
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
The man has a Porsche but bikes to work - impressive
#8487
Death fork? Naaaah!!
He HAD a Triumph GT 6 but abandoned Anglo-Saxon purity of purpose for Teutonic creature comforts. So what if the Porsche starts every day even if it's damp......
Top
(who misses the absolutely infuriating frustration mingled with very occasional joy of owning a classic English sports car).
Top
(who misses the absolutely infuriating frustration mingled with very occasional joy of owning a classic English sports car).
__________________
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
Likes For top506:
#8488
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,434
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
Mom! Somebody has actually been reading my posts again!
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Likes For jimmuller:
#8489
What??? Only 2 wheels?
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Boston-ish, MA
Posts: 13,434
Bikes: 72 Peugeot UO-8, 82 Peugeot TH8, 87 Bianchi Brava, 76? Masi Grand Criterium, 74 Motobecane Champion Team, 86 & 77 Gazelle champion mondial, 81? Grandis, 82? Tommasini, 83 Peugeot PF10
Mentioned: 189 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1222 Post(s)
Liked 645 Times
in
232 Posts
He HAD a Triumph GT 6 but abandoned Anglo-Saxon purity of purpose for Teutonic creature comforts. So what if the Porsche starts every day even if it's damp......
Top
(who misses the absolutely infuriating frustration mingled with very occasional joy of owning a classic English sports car).
Top
(who misses the absolutely infuriating frustration mingled with very occasional joy of owning a classic English sports car).
Sharon used to insist that noise-canceling headphones on my way to work in R.I. Then I got stopped by a state troop who "reminded" me that driving with headphones was illegal here. I handed him the phones and told him there was no music going through them. Ht looked at them for a moment, handed them back and said the law said no headphones but didn't say anything about ear muffs. I can still hear the roar of that engine. And after driving for an hour just barely hear anything else!
Vintage bikes are so much quieter.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Last edited by jimmuller; 11-23-19 at 05:30 AM.
#8490
Death fork? Naaaah!!
Having a hardtop, you missed the fun of assembling the soft roof from a bag of parts in a downpour......
Top
Top
__________________
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
#8491
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The banks of the River Charles
Posts: 2,029
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease, 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX, 2017 Trek Boon 7, 2014 Trek 520
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 696 Post(s)
Liked 910 Times
in
487 Posts
62 miles today on my new Honey Allroads. 42 with a group from RSC. Up to 6915 miles for 2019 so far.
#8492
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4,530
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2112 Post(s)
Liked 663 Times
in
443 Posts
Just quick errands today. First out to Wegman’s to get a tiny kosher turkey for stock, drove. Then into Davis, rode.
Finally dawned on me. When my destination is outside of 128 (let alone near 495), I drive. Inside 128 I walk, ride, and T.
House smells good. (And a tiny turkey makes lots of stock.)
-mr. bill
Finally dawned on me. When my destination is outside of 128 (let alone near 495), I drive. Inside 128 I walk, ride, and T.
House smells good. (And a tiny turkey makes lots of stock.)
-mr. bill
#8493
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 7,384
Mentioned: 49 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 800 Post(s)
Liked 218 Times
in
171 Posts
Just quick errands today. First out to Wegman’s to get a tiny kosher turkey for stock, drove. Then into Davis, rode.
Finally dawned on me. When my destination is outside of 128 (let alone near 495), I drive. Inside 128 I walk, ride, and T.
House smells good. (And a tiny turkey makes lots of stock.)
-mr. bill
Finally dawned on me. When my destination is outside of 128 (let alone near 495), I drive. Inside 128 I walk, ride, and T.
House smells good. (And a tiny turkey makes lots of stock.)
-mr. bill
Boston is probably one of the most Car-free cities in the world, and having a car is often detrimental. We live near the transportation hub of Kenmore Square. Our easily accessible Car-free / Car-light modalities at home and work are:
- subway and Commuter Rail
- taxis and Uber
- car rentals, including Zipcar
- shopping and personal services within walking distances
- a convenient place to stay overnight at work
- my cycle commutes are on pleasant routes in the reverse of the usual commuting direction. Welcome to Boston and environs; I love riding in and around this town…
For some generalities, my favorite map is the AAA road map of metropolitan Boston [and other cities]. The size is large enough to plan century rides, yet the scale is small enough to find excellent cycling roads nicely defined by the road color and weight of the line.
I think of the area in sectors radiating from downtown and surrounded by a circumferential belt about 10 to 15 miles from Downtown, known as Route 128 ("America's Technology Highway").
Unfortunately, 128 is a barrier to get through, especially on hair-raising roads that serve as feeders to the entrance ramps; over- and underpasses are more pleasant. All the riding is markedly better outside of 128, but the city and inner suburbs are nice and interesting.…
Even though I've lived here for over 30 years, I always get lost on a new ride. Streets are laid out in a haphazard fashion; many streets, particularly the one you are riding on are not marked; they surreptiously change names; and in rotary intersections it's easy to lose your sense of direction. (I don't have a GPS.)
On a happier note, the Transportation Authority (MBTA) allows bikes on subways and commuter trains with certain restrictions and that's a nice way to get out of town without city riding. MBTA > Riding the T > Bikes on the T
ADDENDUM: See also this post about local bikepaths / MUPS in the City of Boston proper, and nearby.
I would describe the sectors as (mostly for road riding outside of Rte 128):..
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 11-24-19 at 05:34 AM.
#8494
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The banks of the River Charles
Posts: 2,029
Bikes: 2022 Salsa Beargrease, 2020 Seven Evergreen, 2019 Honey Allroads Ti, 2018 Seven Redsky XX, 2017 Trek Boon 7, 2014 Trek 520
Mentioned: 19 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 696 Post(s)
Liked 910 Times
in
487 Posts
After grocery shopping with my touring bike and Nomad trailer for the second morning in a row (not due to a limitation of hauling capacity but a limitation of me remembering to get everything in one trip) I rode 21.5 miserable soaking wet cold miles on my new Honey Allroads. The full length fenders kept the tire spray at bay. My fingers quickly reminded how nice the Bar Mitts would have been today as my waterproof Goretex gloves are waterproof in name only.
#8495
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
Likes For NomarsGirl:
#8497
Senior Member
I am not a very good internet cyclist. I forget to set my Strava and never take pictures. Heck, I rarely stop to take in the sites. Yesterday though, I had an appointment that brought me back to the "old neighbourhood" and I took the chance to take a ride on the Bruce Freeman Trail, where I used to ride with my wife when we were courting. I started up by the ball fields as the end closest to the tower (the old Wang Building) is usually crowded with office workers walking on their lunch breaks.
I took off across the street and up the trail. I passed behind where the old Bike Shop stood for decades before the Millenials made them close. I pedaled up to the center of town and tried to re-create the difficulty that another member had with crossing the intersection. I failed to do so, crossed without trouble and went back to my journey. The church in the town center was chiming so I took a picture of it to share the moment with you all.
My wife went to girl scouts here as a child and even knows someone who fell through the roof (under what circumstances is somewhat unclear).
I passed the new condos that stood where the old ambulance base used to be and out through the marsh. It wasn't very exciting or scenic and there were not a lot of people using the trail for a while then I notice that there were more frequent Office Walkers and I knew I was getting close to the Lockheed Martin building and, therefore, my ultimate destination, Kate's Corner.
An old fashioned country store with apost office right inside. It is surrounded by buildings owned by the First Baptist Church which is the place that my wife and I got married. Behind the store is the local gas station that used to fill up childrens' bike tires and do on the spot repairs for free and behind me, up the road just a spell, is the fire station. To the left of the store is the church itself and three doors down is the local Agway. Nestled quaintly between the church and the Agway is the barbed wire surrounded structure housing an outpost of a multi billion dollar defence contractor. Utterly charming!
After a short water break on the porch of the store I took a not particularly interesting trip back the way that I had come. The path out of the town center has a steady uphill grade to it, to the ride back was all downhill and was therefore slightly faster and more fun. In short order I go back to the town center and considered that there is a possibility that the official path might have been re-routed when the new condo were built. This might very well have been part of the issue that the other user encountered, but not I as i sailed down the "old" path and across the intersection without much difficulty. In short order I was back at the car and the ride over and I headed home. It was nice to have the chance to revisit a part of the world that was so important to my not so distant path and reconnect with some good memories.
I took off across the street and up the trail. I passed behind where the old Bike Shop stood for decades before the Millenials made them close. I pedaled up to the center of town and tried to re-create the difficulty that another member had with crossing the intersection. I failed to do so, crossed without trouble and went back to my journey. The church in the town center was chiming so I took a picture of it to share the moment with you all.
My wife went to girl scouts here as a child and even knows someone who fell through the roof (under what circumstances is somewhat unclear).
I passed the new condos that stood where the old ambulance base used to be and out through the marsh. It wasn't very exciting or scenic and there were not a lot of people using the trail for a while then I notice that there were more frequent Office Walkers and I knew I was getting close to the Lockheed Martin building and, therefore, my ultimate destination, Kate's Corner.
An old fashioned country store with apost office right inside. It is surrounded by buildings owned by the First Baptist Church which is the place that my wife and I got married. Behind the store is the local gas station that used to fill up childrens' bike tires and do on the spot repairs for free and behind me, up the road just a spell, is the fire station. To the left of the store is the church itself and three doors down is the local Agway. Nestled quaintly between the church and the Agway is the barbed wire surrounded structure housing an outpost of a multi billion dollar defence contractor. Utterly charming!
After a short water break on the porch of the store I took a not particularly interesting trip back the way that I had come. The path out of the town center has a steady uphill grade to it, to the ride back was all downhill and was therefore slightly faster and more fun. In short order I go back to the town center and considered that there is a possibility that the official path might have been re-routed when the new condo were built. This might very well have been part of the issue that the other user encountered, but not I as i sailed down the "old" path and across the intersection without much difficulty. In short order I was back at the car and the ride over and I headed home. It was nice to have the chance to revisit a part of the world that was so important to my not so distant path and reconnect with some good memories.
__________________
2023 Salsa Journeyer
2023 Rad Rover 6
1980ish Raleigh Marathon (Vintage Steel)
2006 Trek 820 (Captain Amazing) RIP
2010 Specialized Tricross (Back in Black)
2008 Specialized Roubaix RIP
"I'm built like a marine mammal. I love the cold! "-Cosmoline
"MTBing is cheap compared to any motorsport I've done. It's very expensive compared to jogging."-ColinL
Rides:2023 Salsa Journeyer
2023 Rad Rover 6
1980ish Raleigh Marathon (Vintage Steel)
2006 Trek 820 (Captain Amazing) RIP
2010 Specialized Tricross (Back in Black)
2008 Specialized Roubaix RIP
#8498
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: 25 miles northwest of Boston
Posts: 29,549
Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0
Mentioned: 112 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5224 Post(s)
Liked 3,581 Times
in
2,342 Posts
#8499
Senior Member
Yes they did! I didn't even think to look if that was still a thing there though.
__________________
2023 Salsa Journeyer
2023 Rad Rover 6
1980ish Raleigh Marathon (Vintage Steel)
2006 Trek 820 (Captain Amazing) RIP
2010 Specialized Tricross (Back in Black)
2008 Specialized Roubaix RIP
"I'm built like a marine mammal. I love the cold! "-Cosmoline
"MTBing is cheap compared to any motorsport I've done. It's very expensive compared to jogging."-ColinL
Rides:2023 Salsa Journeyer
2023 Rad Rover 6
1980ish Raleigh Marathon (Vintage Steel)
2006 Trek 820 (Captain Amazing) RIP
2010 Specialized Tricross (Back in Black)
2008 Specialized Roubaix RIP
#8500
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 4,530
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2112 Post(s)
Liked 663 Times
in
443 Posts
I took off across the street and up the trail. I passed behind where the old Bike Shop stood for decades before the Millenials made them close. I pedaled up to the center of town and tried to re-create the difficulty that another member had with crossing the intersection. I failed to do so, crossed without trouble and went back to my journey. The church in the town center was chiming so I took a picture of it to share the moment with you all.
My wife went to girl scouts here as a child and even knows someone who fell through the roof (under what circumstances is somewhat unclear).
My wife went to girl scouts here as a child and even knows someone who fell through the roof (under what circumstances is somewhat unclear).
In Eastern Mass you can pretty much use the UU and UCC churches as waypoints while out riding. The minister’s roads which connect them are now paved, and sometimes stroaded though. Many of the old churches (like this one) were also town halls, and if you’ve ever wondered why some are nicknamed “the new church” it is because it’s the second (or third, or...) meetinghouse, the earlier churches having been lost to fire.
p.s. That’s some great “internet” cycling.
-mr. bill
Last edited by mr_bill; 12-04-19 at 02:01 PM.
Likes For mr_bill: